ALLEY CAT RESCUE
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Early Age Spay/Neuter

Picture
At what age should kittens be spayed or neutered?
Traditionally, veterinarians sterilized kittens around 6 months of age. However, studies have shown that early-age spay/neuter surgery between 8 and 16 weeks of age is safe. Early-age spaying also helps decrease cat overpopulation. A female cat can become pregnant as young as 4 months old and could have her kittens before some veterinarians would even recommend spaying.
 
Benefits of early-age spay/neuter                                                                      
  • Younger animals recover from surgery more quickly than older ones do; they experience less blood loss and far fewer postoperative complications than adult cats do.
  • Eliminates risk of pyometra (infection of the uterus)
  • Reduces risk of cervical, uterine, and mammary cancer
  • Reduces risk of prostatic enlargement and disease in males
  • Reduces the risk of testicular cancer in males
  • Reduces urination or territorial spraying
  • Reduces aggression and roaming behaviors
  • Reduces risk of transmitting FIV and FeLV; reduces males fighting for territory and mates
  • Leads to a longer life span
  • Helps curb cat overpopulation
 
Misconceptions about early age spay/neuter                                                    
Misconception: It is healthy for a female cat to have a litter of kittens before she is spayed.
Truth: There is no medically proven benefit to allowing females to have a litter of kittens. In fact, female cats who are spayed before their first heat are usually healthier and have a reduced risk of breast and uterine cancer. Additionally, euthanasia is the leading cause of death in cats. Early age spay/neuter will greatly reduce the number of kittens being born and prevent countless cats and kittens from being euthanized at shelters.

Misconception: Kittens cannot get pregnant prior to 6 months of age.
Truth: Kittens can become pregnant as early as 4 months of age and give birth to their first litter when they are only 6 months old. Endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), many veterinarians are opting to spay and neuter kittens as early as 2 months old. These young animals recover from surgery more quickly than do older ones, and they experience less blood loss and far fewer postoperative complications than do adult cats.
​
Misconception: Spaying or neutering a cat early in age results in behavioral issues.
Truth: Spaying or neutering a kitten early in age can actually curb certain behavioral issues such as territorial spraying/urinating and aggression.

For more misconceptions vs. truths about spaying and neutering in general, click here.
 
Organizations that endorse early-age spay/neuter                                           
  • American Animal Hospital Association
  • American Humane Association
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
  • Association of Veterinarians for Animal Rights
  • Spay USA

  
References
 
Banfield Pet Hospital. State of Pet Health 2013 Report. Annual report. Portland, Oregon, 2013. http://www.stateofpethealth.com/Content/pdf/Banfield-State-of-Pet-Health-Report_2013.pdf.
 
Howe, Lisa M., Margaret R. Slater, Harry W. Boothe, H. Phil Hobson, Theresa W. Fossum, Angela C. Spann, and W. Scott Wilkie. “Long-Term Outcome of Gonadectomy Performed at an Early Age or Traditional Age in Cats.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 217, no. 11 (December 1, 2000): 1661–65. doi:10.2460/javma.2000.217.1661.
 
Kustritz, Margaret V. Root. “Early Spay-Neuter: Clinical Considerations.” Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice 17, no. 3 (August 2002): 124–28. doi:10.1053/svms.2002.34328.
 
Nolen, R. Scott. “Study Shines Spotlight on Neutering.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association News, October 16, 2013. https://www.avma.org/news/javmanews/pages/ 131101a.aspx.
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  • Home
    • About >
      • Mission
      • Our Team
      • Board of Directors
      • Financial Information
      • Email Sign-up
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications >
      • Newsletters
      • Blog
      • Press Releases
      • National Surveys
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Cats available for adoption
      • New Cat Checklist
      • Introducing A New Cat
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partners
  • Action Alerts
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
    • Campaigns >
      • TNR Support Letter
      • The Feral Fix
      • Working Cats Program >
        • Shelters with Working Cat Programs
      • End Deadly Eradication Methods
      • "Fix the Family"
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • How to Help Community Cats
    • Find a Stray Cat?
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • TNR-- What does this mean? >
      • TNR Statistics
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • Targeted Trapping
      • TNR Tips
      • Hard to Catch Cats
      • TNR Equipment Loan Resources
      • Where to Buy TNR Equipment
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Financial Resources
      • Helping Shelters Implement TNR Programs
      • Common Complaints
    • Providing Shelter
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Stages of Kitten Development
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Socializing Feral Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • How Rescuers Can Effectively Adopt Out Cats >
      • Adopting Adult Feral Cats
    • Winter Tips for Protecting Cats
    • Summer Tips for Cats
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Cats and Predation
      • Where have all the birds gone?
      • Debunking the Myths and Misinformation: Cat Predation
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook Download
  • Cat Health & Supplies
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vaccines
      • Wellness Vet Checkups
      • Microchiping
      • Nail Trimmings
      • Effects of aging
      • Hospice Care and Euthanasia Decisions
      • Vet Care Financial Assistance
      • How to Prepare for an Emergency
    • FIP, FeLV, FIV >
      • Testing for FeLV/FIV
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • Fleas
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Rabies
      • Toxoplasmosis
      • Ringworm - Symptoms and Treatment
      • Ringworm Myths Debunked
      • Obesity in Cats
      • Diabetes
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Hazardous Poisons
    • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Cat Supplies
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Common Cat Behavior Issues >
      • Litter Box Problems
      • Scratching and Destructive Behavior
      • Aggressive Cats >
        • Cat on Cat Aggression
      • Meowing and Yowling
      • Urine Marking
      • Behavior Issues in Elderly Cats
    • Introducing Cats
    • Cat Enrichment
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Cat Supply Resources
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • Differences between AWCs and domestic cats
  • Donate
  • Store